Rush hour traffic is critical in any city, especially when there is a river bridge connecting two sides of it. The traffic situation in the capital city, Fredericton is usually not very bad except for rush hours. Geographically, Fredericton is divided in North and South regions, and both sides are connected by two traffic bridges with an additional walking bridge. If you are living in North Side and have a job in South Side, you may feel the traffic heat during rush hours, i.e. 7:30 – 8:30 in morning and 4:00 – 5:00 in evening. Morning traffic from North to South is very smooth and flow is evenly distributed leading to different roads in south side. However the story is different in traffic flow from South to North Side during rush hours. One can reach from one side of Fredericton to the other in 10 mins while it usually takes 30-40 mins during rush hours. Almost half an hour spent commuting in Fredericton means a lot for such a small city when it is possible to walk one way in the same amount of time. Rush hour traffic occurs because of only two connecting bridges in the City. North to South travel time via Princess Margaret Bridge has been significantly reduced by replacing Stop sign with a traffic light just right before the bridge at North end.
The problem
While travelling from South to North side via Westmoreland Downtown Bridge, I found that road lanes are not utilized to their full potential. There is room for improvement in traffic flow to North Side using Queen & Regent St. Rush time traffic is usually lined up on Queen St starting from Regent St to Kings College St (and beyond). Most of the lined up traffic is intended to go to North Side via Sainte Anne’s Point Dr (Figure 1). As there is only one right turning lane on Queen St merging to Sainte Anne’s Point Dr (to North Side), everyone has to wait in line on Queen St. for their turn to go right. Rush hour traffic to North Side is also high on Regent St which makes everyone turning right on Queen St. to wait indefinitely on the right turning lane because there is no room to merge on Sainte Anne’s Point Dr. When it is green on Queen St, only one lane is allowed to turn right while the second lane going straight is usually empty.
The Solution
A small change in traffic pa
ttern for right turning lanes on Queen St. can make a significant difference on traffic flow to North side via Sainte Anne’s Point Dr. to Westmoreland Bridge. By allowing Second lane to turn right on green on Queen St. will allow; 1) Right turning traffic on Queen St. to use both lanes on Sainte Anne’s Point Dr., 2). Zero interference with the Northbound traffic on Regent St as the second lane will turn right only when it is green. Right most lane on Queen St can always merge to the north bound traffic on Regent St and when it is green/red on Queen St. This change in traffic pattern might require it to move the traffic light pole situated close to Service Canada office and redesign the pedestrian crosswalk. This traffic pattern change will considerably reduce rush hour travel time from South to North Side and reduce the heavily lined up traffic on Queen St.
Edited By: Heena Dhasmana
